Irrigator



March 4, 1969 J. L. RODGERS ET AL 3,430,867

IRRIGATOR Sheet of2 Filed March 14, 1967 FICA FIG. 5

INVENTORS JAMES LINN RODGERS ROBERT BCAVES ATTORNEYS March 4, 1969 J. L. RODGERS ET AL 3,430,867-

IRRIGATOR Z of 2 Sheet Filed March 14, 1967 PEG.

HCA

JAMES 'LWWSSEERS ROBERT B. CAVES ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,430,867 IRRIGATOR James Linn Rodgers, 9606 La Serna Drive, Whittier,

Calif. 90605, and Robert B. Caves, 10028 Deerhaven Drive, Santa Ana, Calif. 92705 Filed Mar. 14, 1967, Ser. No. 623,075

US. Cl. 239-542 11 Claims Int. Cl. E03c 1/084; 1305b 7/04 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An irrigating device for attachment to a garden hose including a means for directing a stream of water in an annular formation around a cylindrical surface toward a wall having an annular opening interrupted by spaced elements. A control governs the flow, which at lower volumes passes through the annular opening, drawing in air to produce an aerated flow discharging downstream of the wall. At higher flow rates, the spaced elements at the opening create turbulence so that the flow is broken up, most not passing through the opening and discharging upstream of the wall.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention pertains to water discharge devices and particularly to irrigators for dispensing Water in a pattern which will not cause erosion.

Description of the prior art In the past, irrigating devices for attachment to a garden hose have had no controls and have been unsatisfactory at certain flow volumes. Some have incorporated a means for aerating the water, while others have not, and they have been without provision for changing from one type of flow to the other, or for controlling the rate of discharge. This has meant that prior devices have not been fully satisfactory at all flow volume ranges. Moreover, any change in flow quantities has been made necessarily at the hose bib and not at the unit where the water is discharged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an irrigating device that is fully controllable, and results in aerated flow at lower discharge rates and an unaerated turbulent flooding during higher quantities of flow. As a result, the irrigator will not erode the soil during any of the flow ranges. Moreover, control is accomplished directly at the irrigator, which greatly facilitates its operation.

The irrigator includes a cylindrical body having outlet openings in its circumferential wall on either side of a central barrier. An inlet tube extends axially through the unit past the barrier to a cup at one end of the housing where the direction of the water is reversed to create a thin high-speed annular stream along the surface of the inlet tube. At the wall providing the flow barrier is an annular opening having a plurality of elements extending radially across it.

The cup into which the inlet discharges is adjustable toward and away from the end of the inlet tube to control the quantity of flow. At medium and lower volumes, the water passes through the opening in the barrier, while air is drawn into it to provide an aerated discharge from the openings in the circumference of the body on the downstream side of the wall. At higher flow quantities, the elements extending across the opening interrupt the flow, creating a tubulence which causes most of the flow to leave the housing on the upstream side of the barrier in a wide turbulent stream which will not cause erosion.

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The components of the device are adapted for construction from plastic, and the entire unit is adapted for mass production on an economical basis.

An object of this invention is to provide an irrigating device having means for controlling the flow of water through it.

Another object of this invention is to provide an irrigating device which will provide an aerated discharge at lower flow rates and a turbulent discharge at higher flows, both of which are nonerosive in character.

A further object of this invention is to provide an irrigator of low cost construction.

An additional object of this invention is to provide an irrigator having a control permitting selection of the type of flow at the unit rather than at the valve remote from the irrigator at the hose bib.

These and other objects will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURE 1 is a perspective view illustrating the irrigator of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 2--2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an end elevational view of the irrigator;

FIGURE 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line 44 of FIGURE 3, illustrating the device as set for lower flow rates;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing the pattern of the stream of water as it passes through the irrigator; and

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view, similar to FIGURE 4, but showing the device set for higher rates of flow.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As shown in the drawing, the irrigator of this invention, typically made of plastic, includes a housing 11 having an inlet fitting 12 at one end adapted for connec tion to the end of a garden hose 13. As seen in FIGURE 4, the fitting 12 is internally threaded and provided with a gasket 14 that results in a seal with the end of the fitting on the hose.

The housing 11 includes a central cylindrical portion 16 to which are attached dome-shaped ends 17 and 18. The former includes the inlet portion 12, which is located at the axis of the housing.

The cylindrical section 16 of the housing includes a plurality of longitudinally extending slots 19 adjacent the end section 17. A similar group of slots 20 extends around the periphery of the element 16 adjacent the end portion 18. These slots are slightly tapered, increasing in width toward the end members 17 and 18. Adjacent the inner ends of the slots 19 and 20 at the central part of the housing 11 is a contoured wall 21 extending generally transversely of the unit. The wall 21 includes a short inwardly directed radial portion 22 which connects to a frustoconical section 23 that projects toward the housing end member 18. The apical portion of the frustoconical element 23 leads to an annular arcuate section 24. The latter part resembles generally the shape of a torus approximately half of which has been cut away in a generally radial direction. Thus, the portion 24 presents a concave annular surface adjacent the end portion 18 of the housing 11.

The circular inner edge of the section 24 circumscribes a tube 25 which extends along the axis of the housing from the inlet 12, being spaced outwardly from the circumference of the tube 25 to result in a narrow annular passageway 26 around the tube. The passageway 26 is interrupted by a plurality of spaced radially extending elements 27 resembling teeth, which project at intervals across the opening 26 toward the surface of the tube (see FIGURE 2). In the embodiment illustrated, there are six teeth 27, which occupy less than half the area of the opening 26.

Beyond the arcuate portion 24 and extending toward the end member 17 is a cylindrical element 28. The open end of the cylindrical element 28 is spaced from a short cylindrical segment 29 projecting into the housing 11 from the end member 17. The cylindrical segment 29 is larger in diameter than the cylindrical section 28 and coaxial with it.

The tube 25 extends from the inlet 12 and receives the water entering the irrigator. The tube 25 has an open discharge end 30 located within an adjustable closed-ended cup 31 inside the end portion 18 of the housing. The end member 18 includes a cylindrical sleeve portion 32 of greater diameter than the cup 31, which is coaxial with the tube 25 and projects toward the center of the housing 11. A thread 33, which need extend only most of one convolution, is provided on the inner wall of the sleeve section 32 and meshes with threads 34 on the periphery of the cup 31 near its outer end. The open inner end of the cup 31 includes an outwardly projecting radial flange 35, which overlaps the inner edge of the cylindrical portion 32 of the end member 18. This end of the cup 31 is spaced a short distance from the wall 21. Between the flange 35 and the thread 34 the cup includes outwardly projecting annular guide ribs 36 and 37 which bear against the inner wall of the sleeve portion 32 of the member 18, centering the cup 31.

Rotation of the cup 31 relative to the housing 11 is accomplished by a knob 39 which is connected to the outer end of the cup 31. The knob 39 has a knurled circumferential surface 40 to facilitate its manual rotation. When the cup 31 is turned through rotation of the knob 39, because of its threaded connection to the end member 18, the cup is moved axially relative to the housing. This, in turn, controls the spacing between the end wall 42 of the cup and the open end 30 of the inlet tube 25. The wall 42 is radial except for a central generally conical protuberance 43 which extends into the tube 25 at its axis. Connecting to the outer edge of the wall 42 of the cup is a cylindrical surface 44 which is short axially and closely spaced around the end 30 of the tube 25. The diameter of the cup at the surface 44 is substantially the same as that of the opening 26 in the transverse wall 21. Beyond the cylindrical wall 44 is a larger inner wall portion 45 that extends to the open end of the cup.

When water flows through the irrigating device of this invention, two different types of flow patterns may be obtained, depending upon the setting accomplished through rotation of the control knob 39. The water at the faucet to which the hose is connected may be turned on to full flow, with all control being accomplished at the irrigator to permit effective selection of a desired flow condition. The control knob conveniently includes a pointer 46 which can be directed to the indicator markings, Light, Medium, and Heavy, appearing on the end wall 47 of the section 18 of the housing 11. This shows, in turn, the proximity of the bottom wall 42 of the cup 31 to the end 30 of the tube 25.

For light and medium settings, the wall 42 of the cup 31 is relatively close to the end 30 of the inlet tube 25, as shown in FIGURE 4. This provides a restriction so that the flow of water is throttled and does not approach the volume which would be accomplished by an unrestricted discharge. The water leaving the tube 25 is divided and directed radially outwardly on all sides by the central protuberance 43 of the end wall 42 of the cup 31. This causes the water to enter the narrow space between the end 30 of the inlet tube 25 and the surface of the wall 42 and flow into the space around the tube 25 at the cup section 44. The water is forced to flow in a reverse direction toward the open end of the cup 31, and travels at a higher velocity because of the reduction in the flow area at the end of the tube. The confinement by the cup surface 44 and the outer surface of the tube 25 causes the water to flow along the surface of the tube 25 in a thin annular stream as it approaches the transverse wall 21. In other words, the water adheres closely to the surface of the tube 25 even when it leaves the constraint of the surface 44, and the stream continues along the surface of the tube 25 with a substantially constant diameter and at a high velocity. This annular stream of water, as indicated in FIGURE 5, flows through the opening 26 in the wall 21, around the teeth 27, passing through the gap between the end of the cup 31 and the entrance to the opening 26. The water at the location of the gap is open to the atmosphere by virtue of the slotted construction of the housing wall 16. The rapidly moving stream of water across the gap causes a reduction in static pressure at that location, which draws air into the low-pressure zone to mix with the water. This aerates the water.

The water and air then continue to flow through the tubular section 28 beyond the opening 26, finally discharging into the housing on the downstream side of the central barrier 21. A highly aerated stream then leaves the irrigator unit through the slots 19 in the circumferential member 16. This aerated water irrigates effectively without washing away dirt from the roots of plants or otherwise causing objectionable erosion. The slots 19 help to break up and distribute the water leaving the irrigator.

When the control knob is moved to the heavy setting, shown in FIGURE 6, the cup 31 is backed away from the end 30 of the water tube 25 until the flange 35 is brought into contact with the end of the cylindrical part 32 of the end member 18. This increases the space between the end 30 of the tube 25 and the wall 42 of the cup 31. Hence, more water can leave the tube for discharge from the irrigating device. Again, however, the water is confined by the circumferential surface 44 at the inner end of the cup 31 so that it is directed back along the surface of the tube 25 in a thin annular stream. Because there is more water, this stream is moving at an even higher velocity than before.

When the stream of water reaches the opening 26, it will tend to flow through the opening because of the thin annular pattern of the water. However, the water engages also the radially directed teeth 27 at the opening 26, which break up the flow. The teeth 27 have a pronounced effect upon the stream of water at the heavy setting because of the high velocity of the water, creating considerable turbulence at the entrance to the opening 26. The turbulent flow substantially blocks the entrance to the opening 26, causing the water to flow outwardly along the convex surface 24, which again reverses the direction of flow and adds to the turbulence, to the space outside the sleeve section 32 of the end member 18. The water then discharges from the irrigator through the slots 20 on the upstream side of the central portion of the unit. There is some additional flow through the opening 26, but most of the water escapes without entering the opening 26. Despite the large volumetric flow, the water that leaves the irrigator is so turbulent that it produces a gentle flooding as it is discharged through the slots 20. Again, the irrigation occurs without causing erosion.

The obstruction resulting from the presence of the teeth 27 at the opening 26 produces the extreme turbulence only at higher velocities. At lower flow rates, as occur at the medium and low settings, the water merely passes the teeth without being disturbed into a turbulent condition. There is a sudden and readily datectable transition between the aerated flow and the turbulent condition as the volume of flow changes upon adjustment of the knob 39.

Thus, the device produces two types of flow, each of which is desirable and will not wash away the dirt adjacent the irrigator. No matter what the quantity of discharge, therefore, the irrigator provides the type of flow pattern which is needed. If it were not for the presence of the teeth 27 at the opening 26, however, the two types of flow and performance through the entire volume range would not take place. Under high flow conditions, the entire stream will pass through the opening 26 in the absence of the teeth 27, and then will spray outwardly from the irrigator in a stream something like that produced by a conventional sprinkler rather than providing the gentle flow required for an irrigating device. It is important, therefore, that the flow pattern be changed as the velocity increases to achieve the turbulence and the discharge from the near side of the central barrier as results from the irrigator construction shown and described.

The foregoing detailed description is to be clearly understood as given by way of illustration and example only, the spirit and scope of this invention being limited solely by the appended claims.

We claim: 1. An irrigating device comprising means for connection to a source of water under pressure, means for receiving said water and creating a relatively thin stream thereof, wall means defining an opening to receive said relatively thin stream,

said wall means at said opening having access to the surrounding atmosphere for causing air to be drawn into said stream upon fiow of said stream through said opening, and interrupter means extending through said stream adjacent said opening for creating turbulence at relatively high rates of flow for causing portions of said stream to discharge upstream of said Wall means without passing through said opening. 2. An irrigator comprising inlet means for connection to a source of water under pressure, means defining an open exterior surface, means for directing water from said inlet means along said surface in a relatively thin high-velocity stream, wall means adjacent said open exterior surface,

said wall means cooperating with said exterior surface to define an opening for receiving said stream, interrupter means adjacent said opening for creating turbulence in said stream at. relatively high flow rates for preventing substantial quantities of said stream from passing through said opening at said relatively high flow rates, discharge means for discharging said stream, and control means for controlling the flow in said stream. 3. An irrigator comprising a conduit for receiving water under pressure,

said conduit having an outlet opening for discharging such water from the interior thereof, means for causing water so discharged to travel along the exterior surface of said conduit in a relatively thin annular stream at relatively high velocity, wall means exteriorly of said conduit,

said wall means having an opening therethrough around said conduit defining an annular passageway through which said stream can travel, discharge means on either side of said wall means, said discharge means being open to the surrounding atmosphere,

whereby when said stream travels through said opening air is drawn into said stream for causing aeration thereof and said stream discharges through said discharge means on the downstream side of said wall means, and interrupter means extending across said opening means for causing a turbulence in said stream at relatively high volumetric fiow rates for thereby causing substantial portions of said stream to discharge through said discharge means upstream of said wall means.

4. A device as recited in claim 3 including in addition means for controlling the volume of flow of said stream.

5. A device as recited in claim '3 in which said means for causing said water from said conduit to flow in said annular stream comprises a cup,

said conduit having an open end extending into said cup,

said cup having an inner wall adjacent and closely spaced from said open end,

a circumferential wall connected to said inner wall and circumscribing the periphery of said open end of said conduit in a closely spaced relationship therewith,

and an open end remote from said inner wall,

whereby water discharged from said open end of said conduit is directed by said inner wall to the space between said periphery and said circumferential wall and caused to discharge through said open end of said cup in an annular stream along the exterior of said conduit.

6. An irrigator comprising a body,

said body having an inlet adapted for attachment to a source of water under pressure,

a tube for receiving water from said inlet, said tube extending from said inlet into said body,

said tube having an open end for discharging said water therefrom,

a cup circumscribing said open end of said tube,

said cup having a transverse wall for causing said water to flow radially outwardly and a circumferential wall for directing said Water in a reverse direction along the surface of said tube in a relatively thin annular stream at relatively high velocity,

said cup having an open end remote from said transverse wall providing an outlet from said cup for said annular stream,

a barrier adjacent said end of said cup,

said barrier defining an opening around said tube defining a relatively narrow annular space through which said annular stream can pass at relatively low volumetric flow rates,

discharge means downstream of said barrier for discharging said stream from said body when said stream so passes through said opening,

discharge means upstream of said barrier,

said discharge means upstream of said barrier being open to the atmosphere so that said stream is contacted by air on the exterior thereof intermediate said cup and said barrier for introducing air into said stream when said stream passes through said opening,

and interrupter means extending across said opening for creating turbulence in said stream at relatively high volumetric rates of flow for causing substantial quantities of said stream to flow outwardly through said discharge means upstream of said barrier instead of passing through said opening at said relatively high volumetric flow rates.

7. A device as recited in claim 6 including in addition means for selectively adjusting the position of said cup relative to said end of said tube for controlling the position of said transverse wall of said cup relative to said end of said tube, thereby to govern the rate of flow in said stream.

8. A device as recited in claim 7 in which said means for adjusting the position of said cup includes screw thread means interconnecting said cup and said body,

and means exteriorly of said body for rotating said 7 cup for cooperating with said screw thread means to accomplish linear movement of said cup relative to said body and said tube.

9. A device as recited in claim 6 in which said barrier outwardly of said opening includes an annular concave portion engageable by said substantial quantities of said stream at said relatively high volumetric rates of flow for causing directional change thereof.

10. A device as recited in claim 6 in which said cup at said transverse wall thereof includes a central protuberance extending axially into said tube for facilitating the direction of said Water radially outwardly along said transverse wall of said cup toward said circumferential wall of said cup.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 10/1932 Estock 239-542 7/1943 Peters 239-542 X 11/1955 Martin 239542 X 12/1965 Emmett et al. 239-542 ALLEN N. KNOWLES, Primary Examiner. 

